ST. JOHN’S CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 125, 26 April 1940, Page 5

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH

YEAR’S ACTIVITIES. A cn. Archdeacon I l '. H. Petrie, vicar of St. John’s Anglican Church, in a comprehensive annual report of the .year s activities, states that in many respects the year just ended lias been a satisfactory one. The attendances at all services have shown an improvement, and the number of communions has increased very considerably. The number of children on the main Sunday. School roll has atso increased and again the children acquitted themselves very creditably in the Diocesan Sunday School examination. Something like a record was put up by the scholars as regards attendance, more than GO children qualifying for perfect attendance prizes. The Kindergarten School roll also showed an increase. The vicar goes on to record that the membership of the ladies’ Bible class has been maintained, but points out that there is no girls’ Bible class owing to no leader being available. “Already 13 of the young men of tlie parish, members of the Anglican Communion, have left to seive across the sea, and many others are now in camp, lieing trained for active service,” the report adds. It is the duty of .us all who cannot go and take an active part, in the hostilities to do all we can to help those who have gone or who are preparing to go. The main concern of the church is to see to it that everything possible is done to provide for the spiritual requirements of these young men. I am pleased to think that our parish has responded most liberally to the appeal for money, and I feel confident that all further appeals will meet with a similar liberal response.”. Under the leadership of Mr Low (curate) two boys’ Bible classes were I making steady growth. The boys’ | clubs were functioning regularly. Praiseworthy mention is made by the vicar concerning the choir, which has maintained its high standard. Mr Golding, as in former years, had carried out his duties as organist in a most efficient manner. Recently a juvenile choir had been formed under the capable training of Mr W. H. McLean. Reference to the. improvements to the kindergarten school; building is made, and the vicar extends bis congratulations to the vestry for having the work done. The members of the Bible classes had done ranch to improve the interior of the building. The ladies’ auxiliary, Mite Society and the social clubs had done good work. The vicar extends thanks to all who have assisted in enabling the work of the Church to be carried on, including Rev. AI. It. Pirani. now assistantcurate at Lower Hiitt-, and other clergymen; also Mr Low, stipendiary lav reader, and Mr G. J. Fitzpatrick.